Abraham was declared righteous because he believed God—his faith was counted for righteousness, not his works.
Scripture says Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). Les Feldick emphasizes that Abraham did nothing but believe, and God imputed His own righteousness to Abraham's account, so his righteous standing was a gift of grace, not an earned reward.
Genesis 15:6 — This is the verse Paul quotes in Romans 4 to show that Abraham's belief was counted as righteousness.
Romans 4:3 — Paul directly applies Genesis 15:6 to Abraham: Abraham believed God, and it was counted for righteousness.
Romans 4:4-5 — Paul contrasts working for wages with believing God for righteousness, showing it is a matter of grace, not debt.
Romans 4:20-21 — Paul shows that Abraham's faith included being fully persuaded that God would perform what He promised.
The Scripture records that Abraham believed God and God counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). Paul quotes this to show that justification is not by works: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:4-5). Paul also describes Abraham's faith as being fully persuaded that God would perform what He promised, and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness (Romans 4:20-22). Thus Scripture's own explanation is that Abraham's belief was counted as righteousness rather than something he earned.
Les emphasizes that Abraham was a young man steeped in idolatry in Ur when God reached down in grace and told him to leave his city and family for a place God would show him. Abraham believed God, and that believing became faith [Clip 0]. Les draws a sharp distinction between believing God—which is taking God at His word—and merely believing in God, which is a recognition that He exists "out there someplace" but with no personal response [Clip 0].
Paul asks, "What saith the scripture?" and answers with Genesis 15:6: "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3). He then contrasts a worker, who receives a reward as debt, with the one who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly; that person's faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:4-5). Les Feldick explains that Abraham could not glory in his works because he had done nothing but believe; his righteousness was a matter of grace [Clips 1,2,4].
Les Feldick draws a line between two kinds of belief. Believing God—taking God at His word—becomes faith. Simply believing in God is only a recognition that He exists somewhere out there, without a personal response. Abraham was not someone who merely acknowledged God; when God told him to leave Ur and his family, Abraham believed God, and that believing was counted for righteousness [Clip 0].
Abraham was steeped in idolatry in Ur before God reached down in grace and called him [Clip 0]. When God spoke, Abraham responded in faith and left, but there were no works that earned the righteousness. Les notes that the context does not mention Abraham offering sacrifices or entering circumcision; those came later [Clip 6]. As he puts it, "faith plus nothing" [Clip 2].
Les Feldick says "counted" is a bookkeeping term. It means Abraham's believing was placed on his account, like an entry on the ledgers of heaven [Clips 2,7]. God imputed to Abraham the righteousness of God, not a righteousness of his own [Clips 1,4,7]. Abraham was therefore a righteous man in God's sight because God credited righteousness to him through faith.
Abraham's Idolatry and God's Grace
Les shows Abraham was an idolater in Ur when God reached out in grace; the faith that saved him was believing God, not merely believing that God exists.
Believing Counted as Righteousness
Abraham's believing was counted for righteousness; God imputed His righteousness to him even though he had done nothing, and the response to his faith was to leave Ur.
Counted as a Bookkeeping Term
Les explains that "counted" is a bookkeeping term—Abraham's faith was put to his account as righteousness, and this is "faith plus nothing."
No Physical Works in Believing
Believing involves using the mind but not physical works; there is nothing a person can do physically to merit this righteousness, and God looks for faith.
Imputed Righteousness of God
Abraham did nothing but believe; God accounted his faith as righteousness—not the man's own righteousness but the imputed righteousness of God.
Abraham's Faith as Salvation
Abraham's faith was believing God, and God accounted it to him as righteousness—salvation by faith, not by works.
Faith Without Sacrifice or Circumcision
The pattern through Scripture is that when God tells someone something and he believes it, God counts that believing for righteousness; Abraham's leaving Ur was by faith, with no mention of sacrifices or circumcision.
Fully Persuaded Faith
Abraham was fully persuaded that God would perform His promise; his believing plus nothing was imputed as a bookkeeping entry to his account on the ledgers of heaven.
Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
This is the verse Paul quotes in Romans 4 to show that Abraham was righteous by faith.
Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Paul cites Genesis 15:6 to show what Scripture says about Abraham's justification.
Romans 4:4-5: Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Paul contrasts wages earned by works with righteousness credited to those who believe God.
Romans 4:20-22: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Paul describes Abraham's faith as full persuasion that God would keep His promise, and that faith was imputed as righteousness.
No. Scripture says Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. Paul explains that the one who works receives a debt, but the one who does not work yet believes has faith counted as righteousness. Les Feldick calls this "faith plus nothing."
Les Feldick explains that believing God—taking God at His word—becomes faith and results in righteousness. Merely believing in God is only a recognition that He exists somewhere and does not carry the same response.
The word "counted" is a bookkeeping term. It means Abraham's believing was placed on his account, and God credited righteousness to him. He did not earn it; it was imputed to him.
No. Les notes that the passage does not mention sacrifices or circumcision; those came later. Abraham believed what God said, and God counted that believing for righteousness.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Imputes Righteousness Without Works — Romans 4